Effect of Carbon Dioxide on Vase Life of Dendrobium Pompadour Cut Flowers.

Abstract

Dendrobium Pompadour cut flowers were in both thin and thick polyethylene bags with and without sealing and added CO2 at initial concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 40%. They were held at room temperature for 2-3 days and they were transferred to distilled water to determine their vase life. The results showed that the vase life of CO2-treated cut flowers in thick polyethylene bag was increased much longer than those in thin polyethylene bag. The optimum concentration of CO2 for cut flowers in thick polyethylene bag was 20% and their vase life were increased up to 41.8-108.3% over those in open polyethylene bag. CO2 reduced dropping of florets during holding in polyethylene bag and tended to decrease blooming of flower buds during vase life determination.